Gospel of Basilides

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The Gospel of Basilides is the title given to a reputed text within the

Gnostic tendencies, who had taught in Alexandria in the second quarter of the 2nd century. Basilides's teachings were condemned as heretical by Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130 – c. 200),[1] and by Hippolytus of Rome (c. 170 – c. 236),[2] although they had been evaluated more positively by Clement of Alexandria (c. 150 – c. 215).[3] There is, however, no agreement amongst Irenaeus, Hippolytus or Clement as to Basilides's specific theological opinions;[4] while none of the three report a gospel in the name of Basilides.[5]

History

The first direct reference to a Gospel of Basilides is that found in Origen (c. 185 – c. 254), who reports:

The Church has four Gospels. Heretics have many. One of them is entitled According to the Egyptians. Another is According to the Twelve Apostles. Basilides too dared to write a Gospel According to Basilides.[6][7]

Origen's notice is the source for references to the Gospel of Basilides in Jerome,[8] Ambrose,[9] Philip of Side,[10] and the Venerable Bede.[11] But none of these authors report any quotations from the supposed gospel, nor are they able to give an indication as to its content or character.[12][13][14]

Much more is known about Basilides major work in twenty-four books;

Eusebius of Caesarea reports Agrippa Castor (mid-2nd century) as describing the Exegetica as "twenty-four books on the Gospel",[20][21] and this notice has been interpreted as characterising the full Exegetica as an extended commentary, whose base text might be inferred as being the lost Gospel of Basilides. From this assumption and the surviving quotations from the Exegetica, a range of theories have been developed as to the nature of the Gospel of Basilides:[22] that it was a redaction of the Gospel of Luke; that it combined the Gospels of Luke and Matthew; that it was a diatessaron, or harmony of all four gospels; that it was an independent account of the life of Jesus; and even that it was an abstract treatise or homily on the religious significance of Jesus, with no specific relation to his teachings or the events of his earthly ministry, similar in this respect to the Gospel of Truth,[23] another Gnostic work.[24] Some scholars maintain that Origen's notice of a Gospel of Basilides was referring to the Exegetica itself; and that the two titles are therefore to be identified.[25] Otherwise, the Gospel of Basilides could denote a 2nd or 3rd century Gnostic text (whether lost or surviving under another title) with no connection to Basilides himself, other than being preserved within the sect that bore his name.[26] Wilhelm Schneemelcher states that "In short it must be said that all conjectures concerning the Gospel of Basilides remain uncertain."[27]

Account of the Crucifixion

Basilides is reported as having taught a

passion. Although Irenaeus’s makes no mention of Basilides having written a gospel, he does record him as teaching that Christ in Jesus, as a wholly divine being, could not suffer bodily pain and did not die on the cross; but that the person crucified was, in fact, Simon of Cyrene.[28][29]

He appeared on earth as a man and performed miracles. Thus he himself did not suffer. Rather, a certain Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry his cross for him. It was he who was ignorantly and erroneously crucified, being transfigured by him, so that he might be thought to be Jesus. Moreover, Jesus assumed the form of Simon, and stood by laughing at them.

Against Heresies[32]

Nag Hammadi texts.[39]

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ Haer. 1.24.4
  2. ^ Ref. VII 20.1
  3. ^ Strom. Iv 12.81; Strom. III 1.1
  4. ISBN 019211655X
    .
  5. ISBN 9783161526367
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  6. ^ in Luc. Hom. I.2
  7. ISBN 9783161526367
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  8. ^ Com. in Mat. prol
  9. ^ Exp. Ev. Luc. i.2
  10. ^ Hist. fr 4.4
  11. ^ In Luc. Ev. Exp. I prol
  12. ISBN 0227679156
    .
  13. ISBN 9783161526367
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  14. ISBN 9783161526367
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  15. ISBN 9783161526367
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  16. ^ Strom. IV 12.81
  17. ISBN 9783161526367
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  18. ^ Acta Archelai 67 5, 7-11
  19. ISBN 9783161526367
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  20. ^ H.E. IV 7.7
  21. ISBN 9783161526367
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  22. ISBN 9783161526367
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  23. ISBN 9783161526367
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  24. ISBN 0227679156
    .
  25. ISBN 9783161526367
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  26. ISBN 9783161526367
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  27. ISBN 0227679156
    .
  28. ISBN 019211655X
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  29. ISBN 0195182499
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  30. ^ Haer. 1.24.4
  31. ISBN 9783161526367
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  32. ^ Book 1, Chapter 19
  33. ^ Pan. 24.3.2,4
  34. ISBN 9783161526367
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  35. ISBN 9004071857
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  36. ISBN 0195182499
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  37. ISBN 9004071857
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  38. ISBN 0195182499
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  39. ISBN 9783161463006
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